by A.E.McGrath

Created on: May 10, 2011   Last Updated: March 05, 2012

Wat’s gud?  Gurl, youse to gud 2 B tru! 

In simple English, the following said, “What’s good?  Girl, you is (or you’s) too good to be true!”  This is the vocabulary of a typical teenager, both inside and out of the classroom.  The syntax is incorrect, the subject-verb agreement does not match, and more importantly, this is an intercepted note from a 10th grade student, age 17.  Besides the poorly written love letter, there are several more solid reasons concerning why it is important to use plain English in business, commerce and industry.  Three scenarios come to mind when addressing this large discrepancy between business and ‘conversational’ English.  First, students need to learn the difference in communication patterns.  Second, there is a negative connotation to slang/conversational English.  Finally, the business world uses plain English to gain and maintain financial security. 

There are two main ways to communicate: formally and informally.  At friendlier settings, our sentences are easier to understand and more intimate.   Both slang and inappropriate phrases are used and welcomed around families and friends.  It is an air of familiarity.  At work and at school, students learn to respond and speak in a business tone.  That translates to a softer voice, more succinct words and the use of business etiquette at all times.  Otherwise, school-aged children are deemed insubordinate to adults.  Teachers require assignments in plain English.  The educational setting is one that prides itself in preparing its youngsters for adult life. 

There is one essential problem with utilizing both dialogue types:  the question of first impressions.  At a potential job search, the employer scours each resume for typographical and grammatical errors.  The face-to-face interview is over once a candidate uses the wrong verb with the subject.  Despite educational credentials and appearance, the potential boss listens carefully while considering if your communication skills match the company’s reputation.  Even service industry jobs glance at an application for appropriate spelling and punctuation. 

In short, English is the official language for business transactions.  The word business associates itself with economics, and economics translate to money or wages.  Whether it is on

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